The 2008 Vespa Rosso is a big, opulent red loaded with dark fruit, sweet spices, herbs and leather. The wine possesses outstanding length on the palate in a style that is unusually rich for Friuli. Ideally the wine needs to be opened about 30 minutes in advance to allow for the bouquet to find its focus. Vespa Rosso is 50% Merlot, 30% Refosco, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc.

Tasting notes

Vespa Rosso is uncommonly fruit-forward and structured for a "cold weather" red wine, and yet it retains many of the spicy, earthy notes that characterize Friulian reds. The extra effort made in both the vineyard (sharply reducing yields) and the cellar (small batch fermentation in tonneaux) helps elevate Vespa Rosso beyond the ranks of everyday reds.

Wine maker notes

Vespa Rosso is our estate red which balances power and finesse through a combination of indigenous and international varieties. A wine with ripe fruit and a slightly new-world flavor profile. The lush palate makes it drinkable upon release, though it is structured enough for aging.